Trace-fastener.



N0. $84,607. Patented Oct. l5, I90l.

J. T. HAILE.

TRACE FASTENER.

(Application filed. Jan. 28, 1901.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES iroHN TIroMAs :HAILE, or HAILEWELL, KENTUCKY.

TRACE FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 684,607, datecl 0otober15, 1901. Application filed January 28, 1901. Serial No. 45,055. (Nomodel.)

To ctZ; whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN THOMAS HAILE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hailewell, in the county of Hickman and State of Kentucky,have invented a new and useful Trace-Fastener, of which the followingisa specification.

This invention relates to improvements in trace-fasteners; and theobject is to provide a simple, durable, and effective construction offastener which maybe readily and convenientl y operated to secure thetrace in position upon a single or double tree or to release the sametherefrom.

With the above object in view the invention consists in the novelfeatures of construction hereinafter fully described, particularlypointed out in the claim, and clearly illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of asingletree and trace, showing my improved fastener in position securingthe trace upon the singletree; Fig. 2, a similar view showing theposition of the fastener when the same has been moved to release thetrace, and Fig. 3 a side elevation of Fig. 1 with the casing in section.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings, Adesignates the singletree, and B the trace, which is provided with aneye, so that it may be positioned upon said singletree. The singletreeis formed with a vertical perforation O, which is so positioned as to beupon the outer side of the trace when the latter is in position thereon.

Secured upon the singletree rearward of the perforation O is a band D,which com pletely surrounds said singletree and which upon its upperside is formed with a casing E, the upper wall of which is inclinedinwardly and downwardly, so that ittapers into a band at its inner end.As a protection for the edges of the singletree a band of metalF issecured to the singletree at its outer end and extends about the sideedges thereof, so that the trace is prevented from notching or cuttinginto the wood of which the singletree is formed.

The casing E is formed at its outer end with a slot which not onlyextends through its outer end wall, but also through the top wallthereof at said end, and pivoted in this slot is a securing member G,comprising an arm extending forwardly and having at its forward end adownwardly-extending projection or hook portion H, which when saidmemher is swung downwardly enters perforation C and is disposed on theouter side of the trace. Formed on the arm of said member and asut'ficient distance from projection H to receive the trace therebetweenis a second projection I, which when the locking member is swungdownwardly extends on the inner side of the trace and not only serves tohold said trace by coaction with projection H, but by abutting againstthe upper surface of band D- limits the downward movement of saidprojection, and thus constitutes a stop to prevent said projection fromprojecting through the perforation G and below the under side of thesingletree. Said securing member is formed rearward of its pivot with aprojection J, which bears against a fiat spring K, secured at its innerend in the easing E. The coaction of this projection J and spring Kserves to holdthe swinging member either raised or lowered.

From the above description it will be seen that I have produced a verysimple construction of fastener for traces which is durable inconstruction and convenient and effective in operation.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

In a trace-fastener, the combination with a band adapted to surround thewhiffletree and to be secured thereto and formed on its upper surfacewith a casing, a securing member pivoted in said casing and having anarm projecting therefrom, and formed with projections disposed on thesame side thereof and parallel with and spaced from each other toreceive the trace therebetween when said 5 member is swung downwardly,and having a projection extending on the opposite side of its pivotalpoint to said arm, and a flat spring secured at one end to said casingand at its opposite end bearing against said projection, substantiallyas described.

JOHN THOMAS HAILE.

Witnesses:

R. L. SMITH, G. W. JOHNSON.

